Following the exploits of Adam Taggart, Korean clubs seem to have sat up and taken notice of Aussie players.
Now, Suwon Bluewings – Taggart’s club – have purchased Melbourne Victory stalwart Terry Antonis.
Losing Antonis looks like a big blow to Melbourne, however, Victory fans need not fear.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and Victory’s saviour is someone they have already signed, sealed and delivered: Jay Barnett.
A complete midfielder, he is pacy, good on the ball, and a fantastic eye for a pass. The 18-year-old former Brisbane Roar youth product plays the same position as the departed Antonis, and is an able replacement.
Of course, Barnett is yet to get a consistent run of games at the senior level. He only made three senior appearances for the Roar in 2019, a side struggling to stay afloat in the A-League.
However, that says nothing about his quality. Daniel Arzani hardly played any games for Melbourne City before stepping in, and yet lit up the league.
This phenomenon of having unheralded and underrated players thrive in a more competitive environment is not limited to the A-League.
Who’d have thought that Jamie Vardy would win the Premier League when he was still at Stocksbridge Park Steels? Did anyone expect Burnley keeper Nick Pope to play for England when he was wasting away on the bench a few seasons ago, before an injury to first-choice keeper Tom Heaton gave him an opportunity to shine?
Antonis has gone on to bigger and better things, with Victory making a significant profit on a player that had signed for free.
Now, it is time to replicate that model, and blood more youngsters before selling them on to bigger clubs.
TPC
Roar Rookie
Good to see Taggs banging them in and more importantly staying off the treatment table.
Nemesis
Guest
2018/19 played A-League or ACL Kirdar, Sutton, Anderson, Palazzolo, Carrigan, Hope, Iradukunda Signing Barnett is probably because Barnett wants to be part of a club like MVFC, or he prefers living in Melbourne, or he just doesn't like Brisbane Roar. Barnett will be on the minimum wage and he'll be fighting for his spot against: Kirdar, Hope, Lesiotis, Iradukunda. Akbari was given his chance. He showed glimpses, but didn't deliver. I hope he succeeds because he's got talent. Josh Hope is similar. I want him to succeed but he's not delivering. Maybe it was the previous coach that was the problem.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Victory do have a problem otherwise they wouldn’t be signing young players like Akbari and Barnett. They’d be promoting from their academy. And we are actually talking about facts, not your beloved “Alt-Facts”. It’s there in black and white: If Victory has enough players they wouldn’t be signing Akbari and Barnett - they have a problem and they know it.
Nemesis
Guest
"a club that continually struggles to fill its U23 slots" Fake news. ALT-Facts. There is no u23 rule which Jay Barnett would fill at MVFC. There is no u23 rule for ALeague Squads. There is a "Homegrown player" Salary Cap exemption, which allows 4 players u23 whose wages up to total of A$200k will be exempted from the Salary Cap.. IF the players came though the club's Youth System. Jay Barnett does not qualify for this Exemption. So, there is no u23 rule. There is an u20 rule which says: each squad must have a minimum of 3 Australian players aged 20 or younger. MVFC has always had more than enough players from its NPL teams to cover the u20 Rule. Last season MVFC had: Kirdar, Sutton, Anderson, Palazzolo, Carrigan, Hope, Iradukunda. All either played senior matches either in the ALeague or ACL, or were named on the bench for such senior matches. All came from MVFC's youth system.
Chen Yang
Roar Pro
Haha perhaps so i just think he has a great future. Theres a rumour that Victory are in for Brattan, thatvwould be a really fantastic signing ,
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
@ sssshhhh mate, let them all believe he can't play, then we'll sneak him home and he can start with Riley in our mid-field and leave the East Coast wondering how he got away. I'm pretty certain that Bruce and co have him on the radar.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
I think it is wishful thinking Chen Yang that Jay Barnett can step up and fill the shoes of Antonis right away. Give the youngster a few years for that. In the meantime Victory will need to replace the vacuum Antonis' departure leaves in their midfield. Interesting, however, to see the list of Australian players increasing in the K League.
Franko
Guest
Mike's boy for those playing at home... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Barnett_(soccer)
Chen Yang
Roar Pro
But anyway i think Victory are trying to sign Luke brattan, whose a fantastic player too:)
Chen Yang
Roar Pro
@waz if Victory want to sign a like for like replacement however i think Chris Herd would fit the bill. Was excellent at anchoring the midfield for WSW when he was there, stint got cut short by injury dou unfortunately. Could have been integral for them:)
Chen Yang
Roar Pro
I watch Roar and Sydney NPL NYL games on a regular basis via youtube streams waz:) and i think hes good enough to step up
Waz
Roar Rookie
I think you need to spend more time watching NPL and NYL. Good luck to Jay but if you think he’s ready to lead Victory’s midfield you must like a good gamble, there are No. 8’s out there that will eat him for breakfast. Jay Barnett was signed by a club that continually struggles to fill its U23 slots and in signing Barnett they let a better player, Akbari, go. It’s a funny world.